When There is Life, There is Hope: Willow's Story
By Dagmara Chasse, Pangel™ Co-Founder
Our passion at Pangel™ lies in our love for animals and our belief that all animals deserve to be well cared for. This is the core belief behind our business; it applies to our personal beliefs.
In fact, we've been a part of assisting many animals over the years. One remarkable story, though, stands out above the rest. It's the story of a sweet animal left abandoned and on the brink of death.
Read about Willow and how we gave her hope.
Answering a Plea for Help
While driving home from brunch on Easter Sunday, a Facebook notification came through on my phone regarding a loose dog in the area. The post described a dog that had been dumped in the area and was running into traffic. There was a plea for people to join a secure team, so we went to help.
Rescue efforts lasted a few hours. After several unsuccessful attempts to catch her, it began to get dark. The team made the decision to try again the following day.
For several days, there were no sightings and no information, which led the rescue team organizer to call off the search.
I began posting my own information on Facebook, asking people to keep their eyes open and to contact me if they had any information regarding a sighting. My appeals included an expression of my willingness to help with medical care and supplying food in hopes that it would encourage someone to come forward if they caught her.
At this point, our main goal was to ensure she was safely off the streets as soon as possible. It wasn't until two weeks later that we were able to make contact with Willow.
I received a Facebook message from a neighborhood woman who shared a picture from her Ring camera. Willow had been in her yard! I happened to be near the area for my daughter Elsie's violin lesson, so once the lesson concluded, we drove to search the area for her.
It was an anxious drive, but we were hopeful and ready. It was only a few minutes after arriving that my daughter spotted her in someone's adjacent fenced yard. We approached the house and spoke with the gentleman living there, explaining the situation. Graciously, he allowed us onto his property to catch Willow. In fact, it was at this moment she got her name.
She looked so fragile, and as I watched her lying in the grass, I was reminded of the delicate nature of a willow branch, how it follows wherever the wind takes it, having little control over its own movement. Later, I discovered that a willow is often a symbol of rebirth and is associated with the endurance of love and family. It proved to be an even more meaningful name than I originally thought.
Her exhaustion was apparent, and soon, she gave up looking for a hole in the fence to escape. She slowly approached me to accept an offering of food, and I was able to put a leash on her. She looked at me as if she were grateful to have been caught.
She willingly followed me to my car and jumped right in. At home, we bathed her, gave her food and water, and lots of love! We set her up in a crate with comfortable blankets, and I set up a camera so that I could watch her when not with her.
Creating a Connection
We wanted Willow to begin to trust us as her caregivers. We did all we could do to make her feel comfortable and welcome in our home, but it was clear she needed medical attention. A trip to our vet was in order.
We were prepared to hear tough news, and it came in the form of her being heartworm-positive. We decided to begin fast-kill treatment right away in hopes of getting her healthy enough to find a forever home soon.
That week was rough. She went through a difficult detox. She suffered through bouts of vomiting that showed a sad picture of her life on the streets. Rope, hose, rubber, sticks, and cardboard were among the items she dispelled. It was heart wrenching to watch her go through this.
After a full day of detox, she seemed to improve and was able to hold down small meals and water. The improvement didn't last, though, and after two days, we contacted our local Humane Society. We're highly involved and supportive of the organization, so they were willing to make special arrangements to take her in on a Sunday so we could get her on an IV for medication and nutrients.
I only had this precious little girl for six days, but I felt a true bond with her. It was tough to sign her over, but I knew this would be her only chance at survival.
The medical staff was gracious enough to promise me that they wouldn't put her down before giving me a chance to sit by her. I needed to be there before she crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. Being with a dog in their last moments is something very important to me. I worked at a rescue where I learned the belief that no dog should ever die alone.
They promised they would do everything they could and keep me posted on her status.
Willow's Worrisome Prognosis
My worst fears were realized when I received a call from the clinic at the Humane Society. Willow's condition was much worse than expected. The vet's advice was to put her down.
Her heartworm was so advanced it had spread into her lungs. She was even too weak to undergo anesthesia for the other procedures she needed. We couldn't have her spayed, remove a growth on her side, or even clean her teeth. I begged the vet tech to give me any hopeful options.
All they felt I could do was make her comfortable and show her love and safety. They didn't know how long she had, but they were willing to let me take her home for hospice care. Unfortunately, they had more bad news to deliver.
Clinic staff believed she had been part of a backyard breeding program, most likely outside in unacceptable conditions. There were signs of abuse. Upon hearing this, I was determined to show her the love a dog deserves. I wanted to give her, even for a short time, more than just a breeding environment.
A Fight Full of Hope
Picking Willow up from the Humane Society proved to be an incredibly remarkable and emotional experience. It felt like the wait was endless, and when they brought her out, it appeared she had little life inside her left. She gave no interest in anything she passed; however, when she was close enough to me to smell my hand, she became a different pup.
She recognized that I had come back for her; I had not given up on her! She was so happy that she jumped and rolled on the ground. It was an incredible contrast to the lifeless dog I had just seen being led into the room. Seeing her appreciative behavior was powerful. The tech assisting her began to well up with tears and even remarked she hadn't seen Willow that happy since her arrival.
Her happiness was evident for the entire way home. She wouldn't stop looking at me, and I could feel the appreciation and relief almost radiating off her!
I took her to a return visit to my vet, and she confirmed that her condition was grave. Her advice was to give her a few days, and if I noticed a severe decline, I should plan to put her down due to the potential for a heart attack from the heartworms.
I decided on a final date to put her down as I feared a heart attack would be a terrible way for Willow to meet her end.
Willow's Journey Continues
As the weekend approached, we prepared ourselves for the reality that we didn't have much more time with Willow; however, something miraculous happened.
She slowly but continually showed signs of improvement. I noticed that she was more energized, and her countenance conveyed more happiness about being alive. We took this as a sign she may be able to withstand more aggressive treatments, but advice from two vets assured us that keeping up with monthly heartworm treatments and simply monitoring her breathing and actions would be best for her.
One of the vets told us, "Let her fight!" I'll never forget his next words, "When there is life, there is hope!"
I'm thrilled to report that Willow does have life, and she sure has hope.
She Found Her Forever Home
Willow has been with us for five months now. She has gained 16 pounds and gets stronger every day. She's shed her old coat and grown a new, healthy one.
She loves rolling around, getting belly scratches, and taking naps cuddled under a blanket. She is incredibly sweet, and we're so lucky to have found her when we did. She's now got humans that will do everything they can for her.
What began as a journey to simply get her off the streets has turned into an unbreakable bond. We are her forever home, and she will always be safe and loved.
Willow does fight her demons daily. There are clear signs of past trauma, but we're working to overcome those obstacles in hopes that her future is free from anxiety and discomfort.
We're on a Mission to Make All Animal Lives Better
Willow is one of the countless stories of abandoned and abused animals. Luckily, her tale is turning out to have a happy ending. Unfortunately, that's not the case for many in her situation. Pangel™ is here to change that.
We're inspired every day by animals craving love and care. It's our mission to give animals like Willow a chance at a real life.
I believe I was put in the right place at the right time to rescue Willow, and it's in that spirit that Pangel™ promises to continue our important work of ensuring all animals are protected.
Dagmara Chasse, Co-Founder of Pangel™, is an enthusiastic and dedicated animal advocate. She regularly supports charitable events and raises awareness for animals in need. She is a proud rescue mom, welcoming dogs into her home and giving them a forever family for over 20 years. Dagmara envisions a future where all animals receive the love and care they deserve; she plans for Pangel™ to be a catalyst to make that happen.
